USA Banner
  U.S. flag
              An official website of the United States government Here's how you knowOfficial US Government Icon
              **Official websites use .gov**A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
            Secure Site Icon
              **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
                  A **lock** ( A locked padlock ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. 
 U.S. Department of Transportation Icon United States Department of Transportation
 Search DOT
            Search
                        About FRAAbout FRA
  

        
              Overview
                Organization
                Program Offices
                Resource Center
                Web Policies and Notices
                Contact Us
                Communications
                Governmental AffairsFeatured
  

        
              Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Information from FRA
                Careers
                Leadership Profiles
                Organizational Chart
                Newsroom
                Press Releases
                Speeches
                Fact Sheets
                TestimonyRailroad SafetyFeatured
  

        
              Train Horn Rule/Quiet Zones
                Public Blocked Crossings Incident Reporter
                Drug & Alcohol
                Safety Data
                C3RS
                High-Hazard Flammable Train Route AssessmentRailroad Safety
  

        
              Overview
                Railroad Crossing Safety & Trespass Prevention
                Accident Data & Reporting, Investigations
                Divisions
                Partnerships & ProgramsRail Network DevelopmentFeatured
  

        
              High-Speed Rail
                Amtrak
                Environmental Reviews
                GIS Maps
                RuralRail Network Development
  

        
              Overview
                Passenger Rail
                Freight Rail
                Environment
                Planning
                International
                Maps & Data
                Training & GuidanceResearch & DevelopmentFeatured
  

        
              R&D Current Projects
                Positive Train Control
                Hazardous Materials
                Highway-Rail Grade Crossing
                Close Call Reporting
                Broad Agency AnnouncementResearch & Development
  

        
              Overview
                Program Areas
                R&D ReportsLegislation & RegulationsFeatured
  

        
              FAST Act
                National Rail Plan
                Proposed State Rail Plan
                Civil PenaltiesLegislation & Regulations
  

        
              Overview
                Legislation
                Regulations & Rulemaking
                Buy AmericaGrants & LoansFeatured
  

        
              FRA Discretionary Grant Program Tool
                Discretionary Grant Calendar
                Railroad Capital Project Guidance
                FRA Webinars
                DOT GrantsGrants & Loans
  

        
              Overview
                Grant Programs
                Applying for Grants
                Resources for Grant Recipients
                Training & GuidanceFRA eLibraryeLibrary
  

        
              Accidents & Fatalities
                Compliance
                Conferences & Presentations
                Emergency & Safety
                Enforcement & Litigation
                Publications & Policy
                Reports
                OtherMenu Home


            
            In This Section
        eLearning: Attention
                The Attention Game
                Attention & Distraction
                                Attention: Definition and Examples
                Tasks & Demands
                Distraction: Definition and Examples
                Strategies to Manage Distractions
                The Cost of Distraction
                                First person: Distraction and its Consequences
                Attention Related Accidents
                BNSF coal train collision
                Metrolink 111 collision with UP. Chatsworth. Sept 2008
                Canadian National collision, Two Harbors MN Sept 2010.
                HiRail collision, Rockville, MD. Jan 2010
                Rear end collision, Mineral Springs NC
                Pedestrian fatality, West Jordan, UT
                Rear end collision, Westville IN
                Derailment, Bronx NY Dec 2013
                Port Authority collision, Hoboken NJ, May 2011
                Santiago de Compostela derailment, July 2013
                Amtrak 188 Derailment May 2015
                Bad Aibling, GER Collision, February 2016
                Human Systems Integration
                                Overview
                Human Factors Engineering
                Safety
                Training
                HSI Topics
                                User Centered Design
                Examples of Well-Designed Process & Technologies
                HSI Guidelines
                                Rail
                Air
                Road
                Displays
                HSI Resources
                                Tools
                Bibliography
                HSI Methods
                                Overview
                Field Observation
                Link Analysis
                Functional Analysis
                Activity Analysis
                Workload Assessment
                Cognitive Task Analysis
                Verbal Protocol Analysis
                Rapid Prototyping
                Experimentation
                Usability Assessment
                
                Air
    

    
    
          Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) HSI Guidelines and Resources
A flying plane.***Human Factors Considerations in the Design and Evaluation of******Flight Deck Displays and Controls, Version 1,****sponsored by the FAA Human Factors Division,*is intended to be a single source reference for Human Factors (HF) regulations, guidance, and best practices on design and evaluation of flight deck displays and controls.

Content includes HF issues associated with:

Display Hardware
	Electronic Display Information Elements and Features
	Considerations of Alerting
	Organizing Electronic Display Information Elements
	Controls
	Design Philosophy
	Intended Function (Chapter 8)
	Error Management, Prevention, Detection, and Recovery
	Workload
	AutomationIn addition to guidance and best practices, it contains example testing procedures and scenarios, sample checklists, and a list ofkey references for use by practitioners.

Topics of attention and distraction are considered throughout the document. These topics are discussed specifically within the context of display features and characteristics that either draw a pilot’s attention to important information (i.e., via auditory or visual alerting) or distract or confuse the pilot due to their design characteristics.

A few examples that are offered in relation to display features (i.e., color, blinking) and use of alerts include:

“If an aural tone is used, it should be readily distinguishable from all other cockpit sounds and provide unambiguous information to direct the pilot’s attention to a visual indication of the condition.”  (p. 61)

“The colors that are used for attention getting and alerting should be identifiable through the full range of normally expected flight deck illumination conditions.”  (p. 84)

“The use of blinking should be limited because it can be distracting and excessive use reduces the attention getting effectiveness.”  (p. 135)

For additional information, see the “Management and Human Factors” portion of the Volpe Center site (http://www.volpe.dot.gov/our-work/safety-management-and-human-factors/human-factors-publications-and-papers.

***Human Factors Design Standards (2003)*** is intended to serve as a common source and reference tool of FAA-specific design requirements.

The book consolidates Human Factors knowledge, practice, and experience that practitioners can apply to the design of new systems.

It covers a comprehensive set of topics, such as: General design requirements, automation displays, controls and visual indicators alarms, human computer interface, user documentation, workplace design system security, personnel safety, environment, and anthropometry.

Design standards related to issues of attention and distraction are addressed relative to automation and human computer interface topics in this book. For example, a few design standards related to automation are excerpted below.  These examples include prevention of user distraction from operations, considering potential vigilance decrements, and minimizing errors.

**3.1.12 Prevent distraction from operations.**  User interaction with automation shall not require the user to take significant amounts of attention away from the primary task.  [Source: Danaher, 1980] (p. 3-3).

**3.7.15 Consider potential vigilance decrements.**  The effects on vigilance due to the use of automation should be considered before introducing new automation.  [Source: Warm et al., 1996].

**3.12.5 Minimize errors.** Error-prone conditions should be minimized by maintaining user awareness, providing adequate training, developing standard operating procedures, and fostering crew coordination.  [Source: Sheehan, 1995] (p. 3-24).
              Sources
      
                              
                  
                  FAA Human Factors Considerations in the Design and Evaluation of Flight Deck Displays and Controls, Version 1.
	FAA Human Factors Design Standards (2003). Federal Aviation Administration.
	Sheehan, J. (1995). The tyranny of automation. Professional Aviation Briefing. Retrieved April 3, 2000 from FAA web site http://www.faa. gov/ExternalLinkavr/NEWS/Previous/ autom.htm.
	Warm, J., Dember, W. N., & Hancock, P. A. (1996). Vigilance and w orkload in automated systems. In R. Parasuraman & M. Mouloua (Eds.), Human factors in transportation. Automation and human performance: Theory and Applications  Hillsdale, NJ, England: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. 183-200.
      
    
          Last updated: Wednesday, November 6, 2019 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

**Federal Railroad Administration**

1200 NEW JERSEY AVENUE, SE

WASHINGTON, DC 20590

202-366-4000Subscribe to email updates
                    About Us
  

        
              About FRA
                Careers
                Contact Us
                FRA Civil Rights
                Doing Business with FRA
                Grants and Financial Assistance
                Safety Management TeamsAreas of Interest
  

        
              Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
                Safety Data
                Buy America
                Operation Lifesaver
                Railroad Safety Advisory Committee
                FRA Secure Area
                Proactive DisclosureI Am A...
  

        
              Railroad Traveler
                Railroad Inspector
                Reporter
                Educator/StudentPolicies, Rights, Legal
  

        
              About DOT
                Budget and Performance
                Civil Rights
                FOIA
                Information Quality
                No FEAR Act
                Office of Inspector General
                Privacy Policy
                USA.gov
                Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
                Web Policies and Notices
                Web Standards